Nalani Sims Named Finalist In QuestBridge National College Match
Hutchins Academy LLC is thrilled to announce that Nalani Sims, a senior at Chattanooga State Collegiate High, has been named a finalist in the highly competitive 2024 QuestBridge National College Match. Out of more than 25,500 applicants, Nalani is among the distinguished 7,288 finalists chosen—cementing her place as one of the brightest young minds in STEM. She will graduate in the spring of 2025 with both her high school diploma and an associate degree, an incredible accomplishment that speaks to her commitment and academic excellence.
Nalani plans to pursue aerospace engineering, with her sights set on building rockets and space components. She has ranked Stanford, Caltech, and MIT as her top choices for the College Match program. Nalani’s achievement is a moment of pride for Chattanooga, especially for young Black women in STEM who are too often underrepresented in these spaces.
“For the first time, I felt like my intelligence was truly seen,” Nalani said. “As a Black girl in STEM, it’s easy to feel overlooked. But being named a QuestBridge finalist proves that hard work, passion, and support can overcome any barriers. I’m honored to represent my community and hope to inspire other girls to believe we belong in these fields.”**
Hutchins Academy, founded and led by CEO Marie Mott, is trailblazing in its mission to develop Black talent and create a pipeline to the country’s most prestigious universities. Nalani marks Hutchins Academy’s second QuestBridge National College Match finalist in two years—following in the footsteps of Maurquez Thompson, Brainerd High School’s 2023 valedictorian and current sophomore at Stanford University.
“Nalani’s achievement is a powerful example of what’s possible when young talent is nurtured and given the support to excel,” said Marie Mott, CEO and Founder of Hutchins Academy. “At Hutchins, we’re not just preparing students for college admissions—we’re cultivating leaders. Having two QuestBridge finalists in two consecutive years demonstrates the incredible potential of our students, and we couldn’t be prouder of Nalani for breaking barriers and paving the way for others.”
Nalani’s success reinforces Hutchins Academy’s commitment to preparing African American students for higher education, fostering servant leadership, and equipping them with the tools to thrive in the most competitive academic spaces. The program’s holistic approach has opened doors to top-tier schools for its scholars, showcasing the extraordinary talent within Chattanooga’s youth.
As Nalani continues her journey toward a career in aerospace engineering, her story serves as an inspiration for the next generation of Black students in STEM—proof that with passion, mentorship, and hard work, the sky is not the limit, it’s only the beginning.
